Many NEW design books now carried at The Dirt Cheap Builder. To order books fast
and easy online please click on this Webstore link.
It will take you to the same books shown here, and more!
Or, use the ORDER HERE button at each book.
The Dirt Cheap Builder
Straw bale construction from a
cold weather
perspective: #3010.
|
Designing Your Natural Home
|Adobe & Rammed Earth
| Building With Lime |
Cob & Earthen |
Cordwood & Timberframe|
Dirt Cheap Houses & Papercrete|
Heat: Stoves & Ovens |
Off the Grid Homesteading|
Practical: Roof,Floor,Plumb,Wire,Greywater |
Small Projects |
Solar Cooking|
Stone Houses & Walls |
Straw Bale & Light Straw Clay |
Buy or RENT Building Videos|
New Books!|
Rare and Unusual Books page! | Useful Web Links|
How to Order| Order Form
|
Ken Kern Owner Builder Books
New books on straw bale building:
The Beauty of Straw Bale Homes
by Bill and Athena Steen...a gorgeous color photo book detailing the
results of beautiful bale building; along with explanations on the
practical aspects of thermal mass, solar gain, heating, cooling and
materials. SHows earth floors, earthen built i furniture, interior wall
details, creative problem solving, and personal touches to straw bale
homes. No matter what you want to build this book is inspiration taken
from reality. 8"x8",113 pages #3016...$23.00 ORDER HERE
New ! The Natural House A
Complete Guide to Healthy, Energy -Efficient, Environmental Homes...by
daniel chiras. A really big primer on all forms of natural building from
Adobe to Rammed Earth, Papercrete to Cast Earth Strawbale and Cob, with
greywater systems and construction methods covered in good detail. Quotes
and comments from leaders in alternative building throughout the book,
with hundreds of photos and drawings. 300+ pages, Color cover,
softbound, 8.5"x8.11" #1075..$35.00...
ORDER HERE
The grandaddy of information on building techniques
and materials:
Appropriate Building Materials. Imported
from the UK this big book covers everything about natural building, with
photos, sketches, uses in practice, unusual treatments, very low cost
methods used in countries with few resources and much more useful
information. Great to keep as a basic reference and idea book. 433
pages, 6x9, paperback #1026...$33.00...
ORDER HERE
A new book on straw bale building:
Serious Straw Bale: A Construction Guide for All
Climates
by Paul Lacinski and Michel Bergeron...#3015...$30.00...ORDER HERE
Reviewed by former The Last Straw editor, Mark
Piepkorn:
This is a superior resource, covering so much ground that no other
straw-bale book does. It offers a startling amount of information that
complements and updates such classics as The Straw Bale House and
Build It
With Bales. With clarity and wit it thoroughly addresses dozens of
frequently misunderstood and overlooked concepts, details and concerns
from a perspective steeped in equal parts building science and field
experience.
This book is an excellent, vital addition to the thinking person's
literature of strawbale.
Read the rest of this
Book Review by Mark here.
Subscribe to The Last Straw
newsletter, visit: www.strawhomes.com to subscribe, or call 505-895-5400.
Straw Bale Building: How to Design, Plan and
Build with Straw ...It's 256 pages, written by Canadian straw
bale builders Chris Magwood and Peter Mack and covers chapter by chapter
: siting and foundations, roofs and plaster finishes, windows and
doors, code compliance, tools, wall raisings, how to have a work party,
and information resources. Magwood and Mack, professional builders lead
you through every aspect of construction with a question and answer
format that's easy to read and understand. A hundred clearly sketched
building details and dozens of black and white photos give you a real
comprehension of how a strawbale house is put together, and problems to
avoid. Also shows alternative uses for bales such as plastered furniture
and a privacy wall. Also lists the Arizona building code by item, and a
fire resistance report. Softcover, Color cover.#3010... $27.00...
ORDER HERE
Alternative Housebuilding by Mike MccClintock. A giant,
oversized, one-volume working encyclopedia! Why are so many craftsmen
turning to alternative housing instead of conventional home designs? The
Author thinks it is because you get to 'build something personal and
something special, and enjoy the trip as much as the destination.' This
book is your guide through the world of alternative house construction.
It shows how to build with traditional systems now enjoying big revivals:
log buildings, timber frame houses, structures made from adobe, stone or
cordwood. And you also see how to build with the newer systems: pole
foundations, rammed-earth walls, earth sheltering. But this is much more
than a look-and-dream book. You get complete information on the
construction techniques, with hundreds of step-by-step photos and
drawings. If you are looking for alternatives to mass-produced housing,
this is the most complete and authoritative guide in print. 1989, 8 x11,
379 pages, illustrated, indexed, soft cover. #6012...$22.00...
ORDER HERE
New... Earth Plasters for Straw Bale
Homes : by Keely Meagan of Earth Artisans, NM (shown plastering a
straw bale house with Jazz, the cat.) 53 pages of everything about
using earth and mud for a natural finish on bale walls. Covers earthen
recipes, planning, testing, problems, how to mix and apply each coat,
tools ( trowels and others) and materials needed, resources. 44 pages
with great black & white instructional photos. This is a warm and
engaging teaching book! #1056...$13.00..
ORDER HERE
New!... Old Booklets from the 1930's-1960's. If
you are curious about earthen and adobe building these are a good,
inexpensive resource to start with.
Building with Adobe& Stabilized-Earth Blocks- 1964 : Leaflet #535,
USDA . 8 page booklet, 5"x7" size, xerographic. Describes selecting
soil; mixing, molding and curing adobe bricks with a form mold and with
a Cinva Ram block press (ram photo shown). Explains building walls with
cross section diagrams showing construction methods, roof design and
attachment. Gives recipes for finish coating walls (plasters)- a
casein & TSP wash, limewash and lime plasters. Black and white diagrams
throughout. #535..$3.00.....This booklet is FREE when you purchase
any other book or video on adobe/earth/cob building! It will be included
automatically with your order.
Adobe Construction Methods: Manual 19 : by LW Neubauer. 35 page
booklet, 5"x7" size, xerographic. A very thorough primer for Adobe!
Explains how to make and build with adobe bricks. Soil selection,
stabilization and waterproofing with cement, emulsified asphalt, lime
are detailed. Describes how to build and mortar walls, place lintels,
windows, doors, and build roofs. Shows diagrams of construction details
from foundation to roof, with correct measurements given. Covers
finishing, painting, limewashing, fireplaces and chimneys,. Even
describes other tamped earth methods such as English Cob, rammed earth,
poured adobe; with photos and diagrams of formworks used. Black and white
photos throughout, produced by UC California Agricultural Sciences Dept
,1964. #19...$10.00..
ORDER HERE
Adobe& Sun Dried Brick for Farm Buildings-1934 : Farmers'
Bulletin #1720, USDA . 18 page booklet, 5"x7" size, xerographic. This
wonderful little booklet has photos of 1930s adobe buildings and
laborers constructing them; to teach rural farmers this very low cost,
fireproof building method. Describes mixing, molding and curing adobe
bricks. Explains mud and lime mortars, coal-tar paints, when and how to
apply finish plasters. Covers windows, doors, roofs, footings,
foundations and chimneys with dimensions given. Shows photo of a very
low cost roof of cottonwood logs/willow twig and straw, coated with adobe
mud/sod. Black and white photos throughout #1720...$5.00.
Modern Pise Building:House building with compressed or rammed earth -
A revelation for the Farmer and Settler-1923 : by Karl & Inez Ellington, 105 page booklet, 5"x7"
size, xerographic. It is amazing to realize that Ellington traveled all
over Europe and the USA promoting the rammed earth method. He stipulates
that each man or "settler" should take advantage of the soil beneath
his feet and build a "cozy little home". He describes the foundation,
selecting soil; mixing, formworks and a variety of lime washes. (This is
the earliest reference to cooked wheat paste described.) Dozens of
photos of houses in norway, Sweden, Denmark, France, New Mexico & English
cob. Covers walls with cross section diagrams showing construction
methods, roof design, attachment. Gives recipes for finish coating
walls - limewash and plasters. Black and white diagrams throughout.
You also get a real sense of life in the 1920s, a most charming booklet.
(There is a photo of an odd earth block ram press which can only be
described as a 'contraption'-levers and gears
everywhere)#2015..$14.00.
..ORDER HERE
Rammed Earth Walls for Farm Buildings-1933, Bulletin 277
South Dakota State College. 67 pages, xerographic. This book
extensively explores the soils and methods used for successful RE construction.. Covers many plaster and
finishing tests, with recommendations for lime, asphalt, cement "cream"
and linseed oil. Provides charts on aggregates % in soil for best
compression, and other useful construction information from footings to
roof. The Ag. Dept. built an experimental poultry house and recorded all
experiments thoroughly to inform others on successful RE building. This
booklet refers to #2012 Rammed Earth Walls, shown on the Adobe page,
and to Ellington's "Modern Pise Buildings" from 1923 (see above). The
photos are very poor due to xerography, but the text information is most
valuable for anyone wanting to avoid problems during manual rammed earth
building. 67 pages, booklet, xerographic, b/w photos and drawings.
#277...$12.00 ...
ORDER HERE
Mortgage-Free! Off The Money Grid by Rob
Roy. Rob presents a complete guide to strategies that allow you to own
your land and home, free and clear, it contains hundreds of tips that
show you how to take control of the house-building process, and provides
a unique perspective on crucial economic decisions to avoid debt. Roy
and his wife jaki have built and owned 5 homes this way! 225 pages,
paperback #9003... $25.00
The Passive Solar House: Using Solar Design To Heat & Cool Your
Home by james kachadorian. Practical, applicable solar design
advice that is usable in any region or climate. Information includes *
Proper siting and strategic window selection and placement * Energy and
money-saving construction tips * Ideal air-exchange rates, and ways to
avoid overheating * Methods for gauging and maximizing thermal mass *
Criteria for sizing of backup heating systems * Interior design for
year-round comfort. 220 pages, 50 b&w and color photos, 50
illustrations, charts, paperback. #5002...$25.00
The Solar Powered Home from Rob Roy This VIDEO shows how
to plan, purchase and set up your own home photovoltaic system, with tips
from some of America's leading experts in renewable energy and home
power, 84 minutes. #5009...$29.00 OR RENT this video $10.
for 14 days, credit card orders only, see order page.
The Solar Electric House by steven J. Strong.
Excellent introduction to photovoltaic-powered houses, including design,
wiring, and energy management by one of the design pioneers. Covers both
stand-alone and grid-connected PV houses, 288 pages, paperback, graphs,
charts, index. #5003... $22.00
Create an Oasis with Greywater ... by Art
ludwig/Oasis Design. Includes use of greywater, health guidelines,
greywater sources, irrigation requirements, shows 20 system examples,
plus biocompatible cleaners, plumbing principles, and troubleshooting.
Covers cycles of freeze/thaw & rain, soil conditions, storing rainwater,
suppliers;24 figures, 35 photos, 51 pages, 8.5x11, printed on recycled
paper with soy ink. #7011...$15.00
Builder's Greywater Guide (A Code Compliance Companion book )...
by Art Ludwig. This book helps homebuilders and professionals understand
health and wastewater codes and work with local officials. Topics
includes working with inspectors, flowcharts, a legality checklist,
system construction details, and design tips, estimating irrigation
demand, plus the complete text of the new California greywater law with
annotations from Oasis Design.. 9 figures, 8.5x11, 46 pages, printed on
recycled paper with soy ink. #7012...$15.00
Be Your Own House Contractor: Save 25% without Lifting a Hammer by
carl heldman. Learn trade secrets on buying land, making estimates,
getting loans, picking subcontractors, buying materials and supplies.
Smart ways to stay within budget. 6x9, includes sample documents, charts,
construction notes, 144 pages, paperback. #7021...$17.00
Be Your Own Home Renovation Contractor: Save 30% without Lifting a
Hammer (revised and updated)
by Carl Heldman. This book explains finding and appraising a restorable
structure, obtaining financing, and hiring subcontractors. Includes
sample contracts, bids, inspection reports, insurance forms, and
blueprints. 6x9, 176 pages, paperback. #7022...$17.00
Construction Manual: Concrete & Formwork... This manual has
good information on how to select and pour the right mix for the job,
excavate for foundations, lay out the structure, design and build the
forms, and finish and cure the concrete. Shows how to build forms for
piers and footings, foundation walls, steps, sidewalks, beams and
girders, arched openings, and more. Includes reinforcing and placing
rebar. 176 pages. #7001...$18.00
Basic Masonry Techniques... This excellent color guide shows
how to build walls, foundations, walkways, patios, steps, and
retaining walls with brick, stone (such as flagstone) cement blocks, and
fieldstones. Shows how to build forms for footings, foundations,
sidewalks, a basketball court, plus estimating cement amounts needed and
how to mix cement mortars for the job, curing concrete properly. Shows
how to lay bricks in patterns, a rubblestone wall; tools and materials
needed, offers tips and suggestions. Color photos throughout, 96 pages.
#2510...$10.00 (Another good, basic book for cobbers and those
wanting to build perimeter foundations and base flooring. See also
Building Stone Walls #2502.)
Rough Framing Carpentry... Teaches builders about shortcuts for
laying studs, speed cutting blocks, trimmers, plates by eye; building
rake walls, installing ceiling backing and joists, truss joists, cutting
and assembling hip trusses; arches and drop ceilings. 100+ photos, 304
pages. #4043...$27.00
House Planning Handbook ...
While designed for people considering traditional homes it will help you
determine your natural home needs for best use of space. Discusses
location and comparing/ evaluating overall floor plans by activity zones
and traffic patterns. Detailed dimensions for each area of a house are
shown for a business center; kitchen; living, dining, and family rooms;
bathrooms; bedrooms; entries; halls; stairs; doors; and basement.
Discuses energy related construction techniques and planning utilities.
8.5x11, 81 pages, softcover. #6005...$10.00
Home-A-syst: An Environmental Risk-Assessment Guide for the
Home... Developed to help homeowners and renters in rural/suburban
areas assess their homes and properties for pollution and health risks.
Covers: site assessment, storm water management, drinking water, wells,
household wastewater, hazardous household products, lead sources and
management, yard and garden care, liquid fuels, indoor air quality,
heating and cooling systems, and household waste. Has a comprehensive
checklist, 122 pages, l997, softcover. #6008...$10.00
Finding the perfect book on how to build a masonry
stove (Russian, katchelofen), Kiva, Horno, or fireplace is difficult. No
one book really has it all. Below are listed the titles available. My
best advice is to also check out your library for fireplace building
books which show the basics, and can be adapted to masonry styles.
To see some beautiful stove and oven designs visit the Masonry Heater
Association of N. America webpage at: http://www.mha-net.org ,
email norbert snef, designer, for more information at: mheat@mha-net.org
And also visit the buckley-Rumford Fireplace homepage at
http://www.rumford.com. Email buckley@rumford.com. Rumford
fireplaces are described as "having a rounded breast, and a straight
back", and are designed for maximum heat/fuel efficiency, minimal
smoke.
Katchelofen stoves are Swedish tile stoves also designed to
radiate heat, and are safe to sit close to. Do a web search to find
information.
Lastly, visit the Brick Industry Association at
www.bia.org/ at Section 19-Fireplaces for great, free articles and
good information on using brick.
The Book of Masonry Stoves by David lyle. Builder Rob Roy says
these stoves are 35% more efficient than the best 'air-tight' stoves.
Learn about masonry stoves and how to maximize wood heat in your home.
These stoves are designed so you can sit close and not be burned if you
touch them, heat radiates out, making living areas comfortable for hours
with less fuel consumed. An excellent introduction to this most
environmentally friendly of combustion-based heating systems. Includes
extensive history of wood burning, principles of masonry stoves, and
examples of masonry stoves used around the world. 52 photos, 92
illustrations, index, paperback. #4014...$25.00
This is the OLD website for The Dirt Cheap Builder. To order books fast
and easy online please click on this Webstore link.
It will take you to the same books shown here, and more!
Or, use the ORDER HERE button at each book.
